Last updated: May 22, 2023
Place
Dam at Peirce Mill
NPS / Claire Hassler
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Scenic View/Photo Spot
The dam near Peirce Mill was built in 1904 for purely aesthetic purposes.
Peirce Mill operated as a grist mill---grinding corn, wheat and rye into flour---until 1897 when the main shaft broke. After this, the structure was rehabilitated into a tea house or refreshment stand.
Park managers wanted to provide patrons of the Peirce Mill Tea House a pleasing sound and view scape, which they thought was best done through a cascade of water.
The dam near Peirce Mill proved very popular with picnickers and visitors to the tea house. Unfortunately, the dam blocked the creek and prevented fish from spawning further upstream.
After 100 years, the situation was remedied. A fish ladder was built on the East side of the dam to allow Herring, Shad and Alewife to get over the dam and access their traditional spawning grounds.
The dam is visible from the parking area at Picnic Grove #2 South along Beach Drive, as well as from the paved multi-use trail behind Peirce Mill.
Peirce Mill operated as a grist mill---grinding corn, wheat and rye into flour---until 1897 when the main shaft broke. After this, the structure was rehabilitated into a tea house or refreshment stand.
Park managers wanted to provide patrons of the Peirce Mill Tea House a pleasing sound and view scape, which they thought was best done through a cascade of water.
The dam near Peirce Mill proved very popular with picnickers and visitors to the tea house. Unfortunately, the dam blocked the creek and prevented fish from spawning further upstream.
After 100 years, the situation was remedied. A fish ladder was built on the East side of the dam to allow Herring, Shad and Alewife to get over the dam and access their traditional spawning grounds.
The dam is visible from the parking area at Picnic Grove #2 South along Beach Drive, as well as from the paved multi-use trail behind Peirce Mill.